Drone Rules for United States

1. Two main legal categories: recreational vs. Part 107

FAA rules generally split small drone flying into two buckets:

Recreational flying means flying only for personal enjoyment. The FAA treats this under the “Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.” Recreational pilots must follow the recreational rules, including TRUST, registration when required, visual line of sight, airspace authorization where needed, and altitude limits.

Part 107 flying covers most non-recreational drone operations, including business, commercial work, paid jobs, inspections, real estate photos, volunteering for an organization, public safety work, education, and many other non-hobby uses. The FAA describes Part 107 as the default rule for civil small UAS operations under 55 pounds.

A simple way to phrase it: if the flight is not purely for fun, assume Part 107 applies.

2. Drone weight and registration

Small UAS rules generally apply to drones under 55 pounds. Under Part 107, every drone used must be registered, and the FAA registration number must be marked on the drone.

For recreational flyers, drones weighing 250 grams / 0.55 lb or more must be registered. Recreational pilots must also mark the drone with the registration number and carry proof of registration when flying.

3. Remote ID

If a drone is required to be registered, or has been registered, it generally must comply with Remote ID. Remote ID broadcasts identification and location information so the FAA, law enforcement, and other agencies can identify a drone and its control station when needed.

There are generally three ways to comply:

Use a drone with built-in Standard Remote ID. Add an FAA-compliant Remote ID broadcast module. Fly without Remote ID only inside an FAA-recognized identification area, usually called a FRIA.

If using a broadcast module, the operator must be able to see the drone throughout the flight.

4. TRUST for recreational pilots

All recreational flyers must pass TRUST, the Recreational UAS Safety Test, and carry proof of passage when flying. The FAA says recreational flyers must provide proof if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel.

TRUST is not the same as a Part 107 certificate. TRUST is for recreational pilots; Part 107 is for non-recreational operations.

5. Part 107 certificate for non-recreational flying

To fly under Part 107, the remote pilot in command must generally hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, or the person manipulating the controls must be directly supervised by someone who does.

Part 107 is required for most drone work or business use. The FAA specifically says small drones under 55 pounds can be flown for work or business by following Part 107.

6. Visual line of sight

For both recreational flying and most Part 107 flying, the drone must remain within visual line of sight. This means the pilot or visual observer must be able to see the drone unaided except for corrective lenses. The operator must be able to know its location, attitude, altitude, direction, observe nearby air traffic or hazards, and avoid endangering people or property.

A visual observer can be used, but they must maintain effective communication with the remote pilot and be able to see the drone.

7. Maximum altitude

The broad rule is 400 feet above ground level.

For recreational flyers, the FAA says to fly at or below 400 feet in Class G uncontrolled airspace, and to follow FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace.

For Part 107, the drone cannot fly higher than 400 feet above ground level unless it is within a 400-foot radius of a structure and does not fly more than 400 feet above the structure’s uppermost limit.

8. Controlled airspace and LAANC

Drone pilots need FAA authorization before flying in controlled airspace such as Class B, Class C, Class D, or surface Class E airspace designated for an airport. Recreational pilots typically get authorization through LAANC or DroneZone.

Part 107 similarly prohibits operation in Class B, C, D, or airport-surface Class E airspace without prior ATC authorization.

Important practical point: an airport being nearby does not automatically mean “no drone flight,” but controlled airspace, altitude grids, airport traffic patterns, and local restrictions matter.

9. Airports, aircraft, and right-of-way

Drones must not interfere with manned aircraft. Recreational flyers must give way to and not interfere with other aircraft.

Under Part 107, drones must yield right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch/reentry vehicles, and may not pass over, under, or ahead of them unless well clear. Drone pilots also cannot fly so close to another aircraft that they create a collision hazard.

Drone pilots also may not operate in a way that interferes with operations or traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.

10. Prohibited, restricted, and temporary flight restriction areas

Drone pilots cannot fly in prohibited or restricted areas without permission from the controlling agency. They must also comply with applicable temporary flight restrictions, including restrictions near disasters, security events, VIP movements, stadiums, and other special notices.

This is why a drone can be legal under the normal FAA rules but still illegal at a specific place or time because of a TFR, national security restriction, or special airspace notice.

11. Flying over people

Under Part 107, you generally cannot fly over people unless they are directly participating in the operation, are under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that gives reasonable protection, or the drone/operation meets one of the FAA’s permitted operations-over-people categories.

This is a major distinction: “I am under 400 feet” does not automatically mean “I can fly over crowds.”

12. Night flying

Part 107 night operations are allowed only if the pilot has completed the required updated knowledge test or training, and the drone has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a sufficient flash rate. The same lighting requirement applies during civil twilight.

Recreational night flying also needs to follow recreational safety guidance and airspace rules, and in practice pilots should use anti-collision lighting and avoid unsafe conditions.

13. Speed, visibility, and clouds under Part 107

Under Part 107, the drone may not exceed 100 mph / 87 knots. Flight visibility from the control station must be at least 3 statute miles. The drone must remain at least 500 feet below clouds and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.

14. No careless or reckless operation

Part 107 prohibits operating a drone in a careless or reckless manner that endangers life or property. It also prohibits dropping objects from a drone in a way that creates an undue hazard.

Recreational flyers also may not operate in a way that endangers the safety of the national airspace system, and FAA enforcement can apply for dangerous or noncompliant flying.

15. Preflight responsibilities

Before a Part 107 flight, the remote pilot must assess the operating environment, including weather, airspace, flight restrictions, people and property on the surface, and ground hazards. The pilot must also ensure participants know their roles and emergency procedures, confirm control links work, ensure sufficient power, and make sure attached objects are secure.

In plain terms: the FAA expects pilots to check the location, airspace, conditions, people nearby, aircraft risk, battery, equipment, and emergency plan before flying.

16. Moving vehicles, multiple drones, hazardous materials

Under Part 107, you generally cannot operate from a moving aircraft. You also cannot operate from a moving land or water vehicle unless the drone is flown over a sparsely populated area and is not transporting another person’s property for compensation or hire.

One person may not act as remote pilot, visual observer, or manipulate controls for more than one drone at the same time. A small drone may not carry hazardous material.

17. Accident reporting under Part 107

A Part 107 remote pilot must report certain serious accidents to the FAA within 10 calendar days, including operations involving serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage over the FAA’s listed threshold.

18. Waivers

Some Part 107 limits can be waived if the pilot applies and shows the FAA the operation can still be conducted safely. Waivers are official FAA approvals to operate outside certain normal Part 107 limitations.

Common waiver-related areas include operations beyond visual line of sight, certain operations over people, some airspace or operational limits, and other advanced use cases. The key point is that you need the waiver before doing the otherwise-prohibited operation.